Flash Firing Restriction Due to Temperature Increase

Repeated use of continuous, stroboscopic, or modeling flash at short intervals may increase the temperature of the flash head, battery, and areas near the battery compartment.

Repeated flash firing gradually increases the firing interval, up to approx. 4 sec., to avoid wearing out or damaging the flash head from overheating. Continuing to fire in this state will automatically restrict flash firing.

Note that when flash firing is restricted, a high-temperature warning icon is displayed, and the flash photography firing interval is automatically set to approx. 8 or 20 sec. (levels 1 and 2, respectively).

Temperature Increase Warning

At each of the two levels, a different warning icon is displayed as the internal temperature rises. Continuing to fire after level 1 is reached changes the state to level 2.

Display / Beeping Level 1
(Firing Interval: Approx. 8 sec.)		 Level 2
(Firing Interval: Approx. 20 sec.)
Icon Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 1 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 2
LCD panel illumination Lit Blinking
Beeping With P.Fn-06 set to [0]: Warning beep

Modeling lamp temperature increase warning

The following warning appears when the modeling lamp becomes hot.

To clear warning, push the joystick straight in, or press the Undo button.

The modeling lamp may dim or turn off if the ambient temperature around it becomes too high.

Display Level 1 Level 2
Icon Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 1 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 1 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 2 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 2
When on When off When on When off
Brightness When set to max. brightness: dimmed Off

Battery temperature increase warning

The following icon appears when the battery becomes hot. After this, display reverts to the same state as the temperature increase warning ().

Continuous Flash Count and Rest Time

The following table shows the estimated continuous flash count until level 1 warning display, along with the estimated rest time required until normal flash photography can be resumed.

Function Estimated Continuous Flash Count
Until Level 1 Warning		 Estimated Rest Time Required
Flash Coverage
14 mm–135 mm 150 mm–200 mm
Continuous, at full output () Fan drive 170 times or more 160 times or more 50 min. or longer
Fan stop 50 times or more
Modeling flash () Fan drive 130 times or more
Fan stop 50 times or more
Stroboscopic flash () Varies depending on firing conditions -

As measured in manual flash mode according to Canon testing standards.

Caution

  • Do not touch the flash head, battery, or near the battery compartment after continuous flash firing.

    After repeated use of continuous flash or modeling flash at short intervals, do not touch the flash head, battery, or near the battery compartment. The flash head, battery, and area near the battery compartment may become hot, which poses a risk of burns.

Caution

  • Do not open or close the battery compartment cover while flash firing is restricted. This will cancel the flash firing restriction, which is potentially very dangerous.
  • The firing interval becomes longer as the flash head becomes hotter, even if no level 1 warning is displayed.
  • If level 1 warning is displayed, allow a rest time for at least 50 min.
  • Even if you stop firing after a level 1 warning appears, a level 2 warning may still be displayed.
  • Flash photography in ETTL flash mode or in high temperatures may restrict the flash count sooner than indicated in the table.
  • For flash count precautions, see Precautions on continuous flash firing, Stroboscopic Flash, and Modeling Flash.
  • In rare cases, environmental factors such as high temperatures may prevent firing.
  • The number of continuous flashes until the warning (Level 1) is displayed is the number of times the EL-1 is used on its own and when it is used in combination with the compact battery pack CP-E4N (sold separately). When an external power source other than the CP-E4N is used, the number of continuous flashes until the warning (level 1) is displayed becomes fewer.
  • When the bounce adapter is used, when the color filter is used, and when both the bounce adapter and color filter are used together, the number of continuous flashes until the warning is displayed becomes slightly fewer.
  • The Speedlite does not issue a warning beep when P.Fn-06 is set to [1] (), even when firing is restricted.
  • No warning is given by LCD panel illumination when C.Fn-22 is set to [1] (), even if the flash head becomes hot.
  • When using Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N (sold separately), also refer to the CP-E4N Instruction Manual.